WALLER: WINX A HAPPY HORSE
Punters ignore odds to back champion
HORSE RACING: Champion Winx will start at the shortest odds of her career and the hottest favourite in a Sydney Group 1 race in more than 50 years when she lines up in the Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens today.
Winx was at $1.06 with Ladbrokes to win and extend her famous win streak to 32 races that stretches nearly four years.
The super mare has started odds-on in her past 26 races with her shortest quote being $1.08 twice – the 2016 George Main Stakes and her last-start Chipping Norton Stakes win.
If Winx starts at shorter than $1.08 today, she will be the hottest favourite in a Sydney major since Valerius won the 1961 Chipping Norton Stakes at odds of $1.03 (33-1 on).
The only horse to start at shorter odds than Valerius in a Group 1 race was Ajax at $1.02 (40-1 on) in the 1939 Rawson (now Ranvet) Stakes – and he was beaten by Spear Chief in a monumental upset.
Black Caviar did start at $1.03 when she won the 2013 William Reid Stakes but in her only two Sydney starts, the 2011 and 2013 TJ Smith Stakes, she was at $1.14 both times.
Despite Winx’s prohibitive odds for the George Ryder, it hasn’t stopped one fearless fan of the great mare from placing three bets totalling $400,000 to collect a $30,000 profit.
The punter had a bet of $150,000 at $1.10 on Winx last Monday, backed up with another wager of $150,000 at $1.06 when the final field was declared on Wednesday before investing again yesterday with a $100,000 at $1.06. Another punter yesterday placed $100,000 at $1.07 on Winx.
It would be an upset of Ajax proportions if Winx is beaten today – but all the indications are she will continue her winning momentum and claim her 24th Group 1 with her usual ruthless efficiency.
Trainer Chris Waller said Winx has done everything right since winning the Chipping Norton Stakes.
“Winx continues to enjoy her work and she would be what I would call a very happy horse,” Waller said.
“We will just leave the riding up to Hugh (Bowman) who does a wonderful job and is a big part of the team, as are our staff at home who do a wonderful job of maintaining her and keeping her as a happy horse.”
Waller’s management of Winx over the past four years has contributed to the great mare’s longevity but the trainer also acknowledged the support he receives from her owners, Peter and Patty Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Richard Treweeke.
“Winx’s owners have made it easier,” Waller said.
“I get advice from owners with horses that will never ever get within sight of Winx but these guys have been 100 per cent supportive of my judgment and my team’s judgment.
“We are then able to train, manage and ride Winx to the best of our abilities and to her strengths rather than what value or money can be won, or races she needs to be aimed at – that is a massive relief for me.”